Called and Chosen

He chose twelve to be His apostles to preach and to drive out demons. They were simple, ordinary folks. Mostly fishermen. All with strong convictions and character born out of the common and tough existence of the struggling poor. Empowered by the Spirit He sent them, they would go forth and indeed change the world.

The twelve probably had no inkling why He chose them. Up to the very last moment of His life on the cross, they did not understand most of what was happening. But with prayer and reflection, they came to realize what has happened in their lives. And the same Spirit that enlightened them is active today calling people to prayer and reflection to realize the presence of the Divine in their lives.

He called and they responded. That was all they needed to do. God did the rest.

I come from peasant stock.  My roots are deep in the soil. My forebears were farmers and later on, carpenters. I grew up in a small town and considered myself an ordinary boy. Yet, I always felt that there was always different and special in me. I have been to places I could only dream of in my youth. I have done things unimaginable as I was growing up. I did not understand a lot of what was happening in my life. But there was always a Presence in my life who would put the pieces into their proper places even when it seemed like my life was falling to pieces.

I pray that I will also respond to His call in my life and trust that He will do the rest.

Kindness and truth shall meet.
~ Psalm 85

Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted
and they came to him.
He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles,
that they might be with him
and he might send them forth to preach
and to have authority to drive out demons:
He appointed the Twelve:
Simon, whom he named Peter;
James, son of Zebedee,
and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges,
that is, sons of thunder;
Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew,
Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus;
Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean,
and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.
Mark 3:13-19